In vitro interaction of Mycobacterium avium with intestinal epithelial cells.

Human intestinal epithelial cell monolayers were inoculated with cultures of Mycobacterium avium serotype 2, 8, or 10 that were viable, autoclaved, Formalin killed, exposed to UV light, or suspended in anti-M. avium serotype 2 serum. The effects of four reagents known to block phagocytosis or endocytosis (cytochalasin B, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate, iodoacetate, and 2,4-dinitrophenol) on the bacteria-cell interaction were also studied. The maximum uptake of pathogenic M. avium by human intestinal epithelial cells occurred after 2 to 3 h of incubation. Serotype 2 was taken up in greater quantity than serotype 8 or 10. Saprophytic mycobacteria did not attach to or penetrate the host cells. The data showed that viable mycobacteria are ingested by host cells, whereas dead organisms are not. Components of the bacterial cells are partially, but not solely, responsible for the phagocytosis of M. avium serotype 2 by human intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, uptake of M. avium by human intestinal epithelial cells was suppressed by reagents which inhibit uptake by known phagocytic cells, suggesting that the mechanism of uptake is an endocytic process induced by virulent mycobacteria.